BILL ANALYSIS Ó SB 988 Page 1 Date of Hearing: June 18, 2014 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Mike Gatto, Chair SB 988 (Jackson) - As Introduced: February 12, 2014 Policy Committee: Local GovernmentVote:8 - 0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: No SUMMARY This bill allows Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency (Agency) to inspect any groundwater extraction facility within the Agency's boundaries with the consent of the facility operator. If consent is refused, the bill authorizes the Agency to seek an inspection warrant. FISCAL EFFECT Negligible state fiscal impact. COMMENTS 1)Purpose . According to the author's office, the Agency allows self-reporting of water usage by extraction facilities within its jurisdiction. However, the Agency is finding that well operator account information is often incorrect due to reporting errors and omissions. In addition, registered and unregistered wells continue to exist with unreported extractions. The Agency would like to implement a more robust well inspection program to verify the accuracy of information acquired through its self-reporting programs for groundwater extractions and meter calibration. This bill gives the Agency the authority to carry out inspections necessary to verify information needed to effectively manage the groundwater resources under its jurisdiction. 2)Background . The Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency is a special district created in 1982 to preserve and manage SB 988 Page 2 groundwater resources in the Fox Canyon Aquifer (AB 2995, Imbrecht, 1982). It has management jurisdiction over 1,200 wells in southern Ventura County. The Agency requires all well owners with extraction facilities within its boundaries to register their wells with the Agency, self-report groundwater extraction and pay an extraction charge. The Agency does not have authority to enter property to monitor or inspect wells for compliance without a property owner's consent. Other types of special districts including air pollution districts, municipal utility districts, county water districts, and others have the authority to seek an inspection warrant when a property owner refuses access. This bill grants similar authority to the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency. Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Swenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081